Frameless viewport

ABSTRACT

A viewport including substantially aligned openings disposed in inner and outer panels for a door or wall is provided. A pane assembly configured to permit viewing therethrough is provided, the pane assembly being secured into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings. An injected insulating material is disposed between the inner and outer panels and around the pane assembly to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a viewport for use with a door or wall, and more particularly, is directed to a frameless viewport for a door of an air handling unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Viewports for doors are desirable as they provide a means to visually perceive what is otherwise hidden by the door without having to open the door. This capability is especially desirable for access doors for air handling units, wherein operation of a ventilation system must typically be interrupted to safely open the access door. Similarly, viewports can be installed in wall panels of an enclosure. Typically, the viewport includes a frame surrounding one more panes of a transparent material. The panes are typically environmentally sealed to prevent the formation of condensation between the panes, which obscures viewing through the panes. The frame typically is provided in two portions, each portion being assembled to openings formed in opposed door or wall panels, the two portions being drawn together by fasteners. Unfortunately, the frame adds significant expense to the viewport construction.

What is needed is a frameless viewport that can be easily installed between opposed door or wall panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a viewport for a door or wall including substantially aligned openings disposed in inner and outer panels of a door or wall. A pane assembly is configured to permit viewing therethrough, the pane assembly being secured into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings. An injected insulating material is disposed between the inner and outer panels and around the pane assembly to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.

The present invention further relates to a viewport for an air handling unit including substantially aligned openings disposed in inner and outer panels of a door or wall of an air handling unit. A pane assembly is configured to permit viewing therethrough, the pane assembly being secured into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings. An injected insulating material is disposed between the inner and outer panels and around the pane assembly to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.

The present invention still further relates to a method for installing a viewport. The method includes providing inner and outer panels of a door or wall, and securing a pane assembly into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings, the pane assembly configured to permit viewing therethrough. The method also includes disposing injected insulating material between the inner and outer panels to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.

An advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive to fabricate.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it requires fewer parts.

A still further advantage of the present invention is that it has a compact construction.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a frameless viewport of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled viewport of FIG. 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an assembled viewport of FIG. 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a frameless viewport of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a viewing pane subassembly of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of a viewing pane subassembly of FIG. 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a viewing pane subassembly of the present invention.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a viewport 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, viewport 10 is used with an air handling unit (not shown), the view port 10 being formed in a wall or an access door of the air handling unit. An opening 14 is formed in a panel 12 and an opening 18 is formed in a panel 16, the openings 14, 18 being substantially aligned when the panels 12, 16 are brought together during assembly. A pane 22 of a substantially transparent material having suitable optical, strength and thermal insulative properties, sized slightly larger than the openings 14, 16, is provided for insertion between the panels 12, 16 in substantial alignment with the openings 14, 16. To permit pane 22 to span the distance between the panels 12, 16 as assembled, a spacer 24 is interposed between one side of pane 22 and panel 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The combination of pane 22 and spacer 24 defines a pane subassembly 20. Preferably, a tape 32 having opposed adhesive surfaces is applied along the periphery of opening 18 on an inner surface 30 of panel 16 to secure the pane 22 to the panel 16 and along the periphery of opening 14 on an inner surface 40 of panel 12 to secure the spacer 24 to the panel 12. Alternately, tape 32 can be first applied to the pane 22 and to the spacer 24, or portions of tape 32 can first be applied to panel 12, 16. Stated another way, the order of surfaces to which tape 32 is applied is not important. Upon installation of the pane assembly 20 between panels 12, 16 as shown by FIG. 2, insulating material (not shown), such as a polyurethane foam, is injected between the panels 12, 16 to further secure the position of the pane subassembly 20 as originally installed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, spacer 24 preferably includes a plurality of interconnected legs 25 substantially corresponding to the periphery of pane 22 along a surface 38. Each leg 25 includes a web 26 that extends at opposite ends preferably transverse to the web 26 to form flanges 28. The profile of the web 26 and flanges 28 of each leg 25 defines a C-section. Preferably, the flanges 28 of one side of the legs 25 abut surface 38 of the pane 22 and the flanges 28 of the other side of the leg 25 abut surface 40 of panel 12. If required, as shown in FIG. 3, an application of tape 32 having opposed adhesive surfaces can be applied along the periphery of opening 14 along surface 40 of panel 12 to secure panel 12 to the flanges 28 of spacer 24. Similarly, the surface of pane 22 opposite spacer 24 abuts surface 30 of panel 16. If required, as shown in FIG. 3, an application of tape 32 having opposed adhesive surfaces can be applied along the periphery of opening 18 along surface 30 of panel 16 to secure panel 16 to pane 22. Once the pane subassembly 20 has been installed, the junctures between the panels 12, 16, pane 22 and the spacer 26, which junctures are enhanced if required by adhesives, such as contained in tape 32, are substantially fluid tight to prevent the flow of insulating material injected between the panels 12, 16.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, an alternate embodiment of viewport 110 is provided which is substantially similar to viewport 10, except pane subassembly 120 is substituted for pane subassembly 20. Pane subassembly 120 preferably includes a plurality of panes 22, each adjacent pane 22 being separated by a gasket 34. Gasket 34 preferably defines a closed, contiguous geometric shape that abuts opposed surfaces of adjacent panes along their respective peripheries to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween without visually obscuring the view through the panes 22 once assembled. In a preferred embodiment, gaskets 34 will incorporate a desiccant to absorb moisture that could otherwise form on the inaccessible surfaces of adjacent panes 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, which is a partial elevation view of the assembled pane subassembly 120, the edges of the gaskets 34 and panes 22 are substantially aligned. However, in an alternate construction, such as shown in FIG. 7, a single gasket 134 can extend around the periphery of a panel 122 that is between outer panels 222. Panel 122 is thus concealed when viewed from the side of the assembled panel subassembly 120. Although panel 122 is shown as being smaller than panels 222, it is to be understood that panels 122, 222 can have the same outside dimensions. It is also to be understood that a combination of gaskets 134, 34 can be used with a pane subassembly.

Preferably, gasket 134 does not extend around the periphery of the outer panels 222, as such a construction requires that the gasket 134 abuts surfaces 30 and 40 of respective panels 16, 12. However, such a construction of gasket 134 is contemplated by the present invention, so long as there is substantially no flow of injected insulating material between gasket 134 and panels 12, 16.

One skilled in the art can appreciate that the number of panes can exceed three, and that one or more spacers 24 can be used with panel subassembly 20, 120. Further, while tape 32 can be interposed between the junctures of any combination of panels, panes, gaskets and spacers, such tape may not be required if the junctures are sufficiently fluid tight to substantially prevent the flow of injected insulating material therebetween and the panel subassembly 20, 120 remains in the desired installed position. This combination is intended to include the application of tape on the panes or to a spacer or combination thereof. Any suitable treatment or process to achieve this, such as heat or pressure, can be used, if desired.

It is to be understood that the panel openings and corresponding panes and gaskets can have any closed geometric shape.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A viewport for a door or wall comprising: substantially aligned openings disposed in inner and outer panels of a door or wall; a pane assembly configured to permit viewing therethrough, the pane assembly being secured into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings; and an injected insulating material disposed between the inner and outer panels and around the pane assembly to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.
 2. The viewport of claim 1 further including a tape having opposed adhesive surfaces to secure the pane assembly to at least one of the inner and outer panels.
 3. The viewport of claim 2 wherein the pane assembly includes at least one pane.
 4. The viewport of claim 3 wherein the pane assembly further includes at least one spacer disposed adjacent the at least one pane.
 5. The viewport of claim 3 further includes at least one gasket separating each adjacent pane of the at least one pane.
 6. The viewport of claim 5 wherein each of the at least one gasket incorporates a desiccant.
 7. The viewport of claim 1 wherein the injected insulating material is a polyurethane foam.
 8. A viewport for an air handling unit comprising: substantially aligned openings disposed in inner and outer panels of a door or wall of an air handling unit; a pane assembly configured to permit viewing therethrough, the pane assembly being secured into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings; and an injected insulating material disposed between the inner and outer panels and around the pane assembly to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.
 9. The viewport of claim 8 further including a tape having opposed adhesive surfaces to secure the pane assembly to at least one of the inner and outer panels.
 10. The viewport of claim 9 wherein the pane assembly includes at least one pane.
 11. The viewport of claim 10 wherein the pane assembly further includes at least one spacer disposed adjacent the at least one pane.
 12. The viewport of claim 10 further includes at least one gasket separating each adjacent pane of the at least one pane.
 13. The viewport of claim 12 wherein each of the at least one gasket incorporates a desiccant.
 14. The viewport of claim 8 wherein the injected insulating material is a polyurethane foam.
 15. A method for installing a viewport, comprising the steps of: providing inner and outer panels of a door or wall; securing a pane assembly into position between the inner and outer panels in alignment with the openings, the pane assembly configured to permit viewing therethrough; disposing injected insulating material between the inner and outer panels to substantially fill an open space between the inner and outer panels, the insulating material being configured and disposed to maintain the secured position of the pane assembly.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of securing a pane assembly into position is achieved using a tape having opposed adhesive surfaces.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the injected insulating material is polyurethane foam.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the pane assembly includes at least one pane and at least one gasket, the at least one gasket separating each adjacent pane of the at least one pane.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the pane assembly includes at least one spacer disposed adjacent the at least one pane.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one gasket incorporates a desiccant. 